ma•chine n. 1. a. A system or device built to use energy in performing a task <a sewing machine> b. Any of several simple devices, as an inclined plane, lever, or screw, that act on an applied force so as to change its magnitude or direction or both. 2. A device or system, as a computer, that performs or helps in performing a human task. 3. One who acts mechanically or rigidly. 4. An organized group whose members are under the control of one or more leaders. — v. -chined, -chin•ing. To shape by machine.

struc•ture n. 1. Something made up of a number of parts assembled in a particular pattern. 2. The way in which parts are combined or arranged to form a whole. 3. Something constructed, as a building or bridge —v. -tured, -tur•ing.

Byzantine Generals
Definition: The problem of reaching a consensus among distributed units if some of them give misleading answers. The original problem concerns generals plotting a coup. Some generals lie about whether they will support a particular plan and what other generals told them. What percentage of liars can a decision making algorithm tolerate and still correctly determine a consensus?